THE DISABLED HEIRESS, MY EX-HUSBAND WOULD PAY DEARLY.

At that moment, hearing what Malisa just said, Cora's face dropped immediately. She wasn't even surprised. She already knew where this conversation was heading.

Then She let out a long sigh and shook her head slowly. Of course, it was about William. She was sure that whatever drama he cooked up outside this morning had reached Malisa's ears.

Cora pressed the phone tighter against her ear and said with a cold tone, "Melissa, I'm not in the mood for this kind of talk right now. I'm very, very angry, okay? Please don't try to bring back something I'm already trying hard to forget."

Her voice was sharp, her words heavy with irritation. She could even feel her chest tighten just thinking about it again.

Malisa chuckled lightly on the other end, not taking it too seriously.

"Okay, okay, no problem," Malisa replied playfully. "I hear you loud and clear."

But then Melissa's voice turned a bit cheeky.

"But just so you know, Cora... you have so many suitors now," Melissa added, laughing softly. "They're lining up, one after the other. The competition is going to be extremely tough. You better brace yourself."

At that moment, Cora rolled her eyes and shook her head slowly, even though Malisa couldn't see her. She was already getting irritated.

"Melissa, I don't care about suitors," Cora said sharply.

"That's not my problem. It's not even what I'm thinking about right now."

She sat up straight in her chair, her tone growing firmer with every word.

"My main focus right now is the project. That's all I care about. Making sure the project is a success that's where my head is. Not on these wolves and vampires chasing after me just because of what they think they can gain."

Cora's lips tightened, her brows pulling together.

"I'm not interested in marriage, and I'm definitely not looking to jump into any relationship anytime soon. So please, stop bringing it up."

But on the other end, Malisa just kept laughing. She wasn't even trying to hide her amusement.

"Well, that's what you always say, Cora," Malisa chuckled. "You're not ready, you're not ready. Just wait... very soon, you'll meet the one who'll sweep you off your feet, and all this tough talk will just disappear."

Cora shook her head again, feeling her patience thinning.

"Malisa, this is not even why I called," she said, cutting her off sharply. "Please, just forget about this topic."

At that moment, Malisa stopped laughing a little when she heard Cora's sharp tone. She chuckled softly and then asked, "Okay then, what's this important thing you want to say? What is it that's making you so occupied that you're not even in the mood for small jokes? And now, all of a sudden, you're not even interested in men anymore?"

Her voice still carried a playful tone, but Cora wasn't smiling.

Cora sighed again, pressing her fingers lightly against her forehead. "Melissa, I'm really, really occupied. That's the truth. And honestly, the reason I even called you isn't for all these talks."

She sat up straighter in her chair, her voice more serious now. "I called you because I need to ask you for something. But please, Melissa, don't get it twisted, okay? Don't think I'm having second thoughts about anything. That's not what this is."

She paused for a moment to make sure Melissa was listening properly.

"I need something really important, that's why I'm calling you," Cora added. "I want you to help me set up a meeting... between me and Robert."

At that moment, hearing what Cora just said, Malisa couldn't help but smile on the phone. She shook her head slowly, still smiling like she knew something Cora wasn't saying out loud.

"Wow... you're serious about this," Melissa said playfully. "I still can't believe it though. Since when do you ask for a meeting with Robert?"

She giggled a little, then added, "You know what? I'm ending this call right now. In fact, I'll come to your office myself. We'll talk about it properly."

But before she could even finish that thought, Cora's voice came through quickly, firm and clear.

"No, Malisa, don't come," Cora said sharply. "I'm really busy right now. I have a lot on my table, I can't entertain you."

Her voice was serious, and her face matched her tone — no smiles, no jokes.

"We'll see later, okay? But for now, I just want you to help me set up the meeting with Robert. And please, don't start thinking it's what you're imagining or what we've joked about before. It's not."

She paused for a second, making sure Malisa was paying attention.

"This is something very important, Melissa," Cora continued softly but firmly. "Something I really need to discuss with him. That's all."

At that moment, Malisa chuckled softly on the phone. She sat up on her couch, her interest growing even more with every word Cora was saying.

"Okay, okay, I hear you," Malisa said with a playful tone. "But since you're asking me to help you set up a meeting with Robert, and you keep saying it's not what I'm thinking... then tell me something, Cora."

She adjusted her legs, crossing them as she leaned back comfortably.

"What exactly do you want me to write in the message I'll send him? Because you and I both know Robert doesn't just meet people randomly. I can't just send him a text saying, 'Hey, Cora wants to see you,' and expect him to show up."

Malisa laughed a little, then continued, "So, what should I write that'll prompt Robert to actually accept the meeting? Is it about that estate we talked about the other day? Or is it something else entirely?"

For a few seconds, there was just silence on the line. Malisa thought Cora might have ended the call or gotten distracted, but before she could ask if Cora was still there, Cora's voice came through, calm but firm.

"No, it's not about the estate," Cora said.

Malisa's smile faded a little, her curiosity fully awake now.

"It's about what Lovi said," Cora continued, her voice dropping just a bit, like she didn't want to say it too loud even though they were on the phone. "I've been thinking about it. A lot, actually. And I'm still contemplating whether I should give that 20% to Robert."

Hearing Cora words Malisa raised her brows slightly, not expecting that.

"The twenty percent, huh?" she muttered under her breath, but Cora kept talking.

"From the way things are moving... from the way everything is shaping up, it seems Robert might be the best candidate to actually keep that 20% for me," Cora said. "At least with him, I'll have some kind of assurance that I'm not putting it in the wrong hands."

At that moment, Cora didn't stop there. She leaned forward on her desk.

"I feel it... and I know it deep down," Cora said seriously. "Robert won't backstab me. He's not like the others. He won't start looking for loopholes just to steal that 20% or somehow twist things to keep it for himself."

Her eyes stared blankly at her desk, but her mind was already playing out scenarios.

"Robert comes from a reputable family. A solid one. That kind of background isn't something you throw away because of a mere 20% share. No. His family name carries weight, and I know he won't stain it just for small benefits."

She sighed lightly and added, "That's why I've made up my mind. It has to be Robert. He's the one I'll trust with this."

On the other end of the call, Malisa was already nodding her head slowly, even though Cora couldn't see her.

"Well," Malisa said with a pleased tone, "I'm actually quite happy with that decision. I think it's the right call, honestly. With Robert, you'll sleep with your two eyes closed."

But then, Malisa's tone turned playful again, a bit curious.

"But now I'm wondering," she added with a small chuckle, "why didn't you give it to your best friend instead? What's his name again?"

Malisa paused briefly, then snapped her fingers. "Ah, yes.. Oliver."

At that moment, Cora sighed softly, her fingers lightly tapping on the desk. She could already hear the teasing in Malisa's voice, but she wasn't moved by it.

"Well," Cora began, her voice calm, "I actually thought about it... I really did. But then, I changed my mind."

She paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts before continuing.

"Robert is the best candidate for this," she said firmly. "If I give that 20% to Robert, I won't need to worry about anything. Robert knows how to handle his ground, and he has a strong backing."

She leaned back in her chair, her gaze steady.

"And to be honest, James might not even want to cross paths with Robert. He's not stupid. He knows Robert's weight and what that family name carries. So if Robert is holding the 20%, it sends a message."

Cora's voice grew more confident.

"I'm really, really convinced, Malisa. This is the best decision. I don't want to gamble on this."